Mia Mendez and Jordan Mayes were selected as Rotary Students of the Month for March at Mount Vernon High School. See the March 26 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

The Southwestern Watercolor Society has selected Mount Vernon / Franklin County as the site of its Spring Paint Out March 27-29.

Rusty Rutledge was named the 2008 Man of the Year by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce at their banquet on Saturday, March 21.

Reliable, honest, and compassionate were just a few words used to describe Marilyn Elbert as she was named by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce as their 2008 Woman of the Year at their annual banquet on Saturday, March 21. Mrs. Elbert was joined by her husband, Bobby, and her parents, M. P. and Nolene Long in receiving her award. For more information about Mrs. Elbert, see the March 26 edition of the Optic-Herald.